Three years ago, I had the good fortune to tour Erikson Institute with Samuel J. Meisels, not knowing that a few years later, I would be succeeding him as president.

During Sam’s tour, I was inspired by Erikson’s impressive campus and what I learned about the quality and breadth of Erikson’s work, from its professional preparation and community outreach to its clinical services and applied and policy research.

Today, as president, I still feel the same way. Erikson is truly a special place, filled with people who are passionate about making a difference. Together, our faculty and staff ensure that Erikson’s impact on the early childhood field and on the lives of children and families far exceeds our size.

It has been a great privilege to join the Erikson community and have the opportunity to build on the legacy of two giants in the early childhood field, Sam and Barbara T. Bowman. As president, I am dedicated to continuing and expanding on the high-quality education, programs, and services that Sam, Barbara, and many others have worked so hard — and so thoughtfully — to create. But that is only possible in partnership with people like you.

Over the past months, I’ve begun meeting with Erikson’s partners, alumni, and supporters, as well as members of the Illinois early childhood community. I look forward to meeting many more of you and working together with you in the coming years.

Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or (312) 893-7100 with any thoughts or suggestions.